I have reviewed past messages on car rentals and am still not clear on the meaning of the following terms: Standard cover, Super cover and Excess. Obvioulsy these terms may differ slightly between car rental companies, but if someone could explain the basics that would be great.
Also - If I book the car using a credit card that offers insurance protection, do I need to concern myslef with these additional coverages?
Thanks.

"Excess" is what North American insurance terminology calls a "Deductible." It is the amount of loss that a policy holder has to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company's reimbursement begins.

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your other questions.

Super Cover = lower excess (R1900 - R3000) and more coverage. Standard Cover has a (much) higher excess (often in the realm of R11,000 for Avis etc, which is about £1,000 or $2,000). For your peace of mind, you may want to get super cover.

For the credit card question you need to ask your credit card company. My credit card company covered some types of liability and not others.

Once you buy any level of CDW coverage, it invalidates your credit card coverage. With your credit card you probably have complete CDW (no "excess&quot coverage, so you are better off than if you buy even the "super" coverage if it still has an "excess".

Thank you for all your helpful responses. I will check with my credit card company, but it sounds like the purchase of additional CDW coverage is unnecessary.

I suggest you read your small print too. We have hired a car for Sept with Hertz and paid for super cover thinking that would "cover all". But after reading small print I realise that it doesn't cover theft. I couldn't believe it, as in UK basic Third Party even covers theft - I immed. phoned the booking agent and she confirmed that many car hire companies in SA don't cover theft - therefore, you would be liable for the full cost of the car if it was stolen.

Hertz, who I have used do have TP Theft Protection, but this still means if the car goes I am liable for an excess of £400.

I wonder now excatly why I've bothered with super cover? But just beware of this any visitors to SA?